www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 39 CHILL There are no spirits association contests for a good reason. Vodka? That’s Russia. Bourbon? We’re going with the U.S., Regis— Kentucky, to be specific. Tequila, distilled from the agave plant? Mexico, of course. But hold up a minute. “There are a lot of other things that grow in Mexico,” observes Katie Blandin, owner of Pearl Hour in Monterey. One of those things is sugarcane, and that means rum. Uruapan Charanda flickers slightly on the palate with a gentle impression of toasted bread and ripening fruit. Kalani is a rum-based coconut liqueur that casts a pleasant spell. The Oaxacan favorite, Paranubes, is potent, but with a soft landing as hints of banana, vanilla and freshly-plucked petals caress the palate. “My fascination started when I tasted this,” Blandin says while pouring Paranubes for a recent tasting titled “Not Agave: Spirits from Mexico,” part of a monthly series she leads exploring spirits and liqueurs, as well as the herbs and other ingredients that define their flavors. A previous evening focused on a craft amaro, Amara. Blandin refers to the gatherings as “herb classes.” Tasting spirits—many of them unfamiliar—is part of the process, but so is understanding the relationship of the product to the people and the land. She introduces guests to the parched and bitter gentian root, for instance, or the aromatic shrub damiani. It’s sipping with a higher purpose. Classes take place at Pearl Hour on the last Thursday of every month. Next up is agave spirits on Sept. 26. Pearl Hour, 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. pearlhour.com. Taste Test Herb classes at Pearl Hour explore the flavors of craft spirits, and much more. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES Toast to 200 Years! Don’t miss out on the festivities, food, drink, and entertainment on Saturday, September 21st, 2:00-5:00 P.M. $65.00 per person to purchase tickets visit casamunrashotel.com or call 831-375-2411 700 Munras Avenue, Monterey 200 years of hospitality 1824-2024 VALIDATED PARKING 136 OLIVIER ST. MONTEREY NEAR OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF (831) 644-9007 WWW.BENIHANA.COM OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER EXPERIENCE THE ORIGINAL THIN CRUST PIZZA SALADS & CALZONES TAKE-OUT TODAY SOURDOUGH PIZZA SEASIDE’S FINEST Tues – Sat 11am – 9pm Sunday 11am – 8pm 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE PASTA & SUBS BEER ON TAP DESSERTS EAST COAST PIZZAS NY style, thin crust w/ butter & garlic. 14” has 6 slices. 18” has 8 slices. WEST COAST PIZZAS SF sourdough crust w/ garlic olive oil. 14” has 6 slices. 18” has 8 slices. STUFFED CALZONES Made from pizza dough, stuffed w/pizza sauce, garlic, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of basil. (Onions upon request). 831-899-1762 DELIVERY AVAILABLE DINE-IN TOO
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